Terrazas Branch — Austin Public Library
🏢 Austin Public Library · East Austin, Texas
Terrazas Branch — Austin Public Library
Rooted in East Austin's vibrant Cesar Chavez corridor, the Terrazas Branch honors a neighborhood Marine hero in a striking 2006 building that weaves papel picado artistry and volcanic-stone craftsmanship into its everyday life as a community living room.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9am–8pm |
| Tuesday | 9am–8pm |
| Wednesday | 9am–8pm |
| Thursday | 9am–8pm |
| Friday | 9am–5pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 1105 E. César Chávez St., Austin, TX 78702
Phone: (512) 974-3625
Website: library.austintexas.gov
Plus Code: 86247758+XJ (Austin, TX)
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📖 About Terrazas Branch — Austin Public Library
The Henry S. Terrazas Branch Library is named for Henry S. Terrazas, a 1965 Sidney Johnston High School graduate, varsity football player, and honor student from East Austin who was killed on November 5, 1966 while fighting a forest fire as a United States Marine — a young man whose community service continued even in uniform. The branch itself began modestly: a small reading room inside the Pan American Recreation Center, before outgrowing that space and moving in 1969 to a 2,000-square-foot storefront on Canadian and East First Streets, and then settling at 1105 E. César Chávez in 1976. In 2006 the city commissioned Lawrence Group to perform a complete gut renovation and addition, expanding the facility to 10,400 square feet and creating a design that speaks directly to the neighborhood's Mexican-American heritage: the building features volcanic rock pavers imported from Mexico, heavy glulam timber roof beams, and a decorative aluminum screen wall inspired by the traditional art of papel picado — punched-paper banners long associated with East Austin festivities. A prominent Spanish arch from the original structure was preserved and replicated on the front façade to unite the old and new wings. Part of Austin Public Library's network of 20 branches, the Terrazas Branch sits in Council District 3 and provides an open floor plan with distinct reading, computing, youth, and meeting zones for the surrounding neighborhood.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Named for Henry S. Terrazas, a 1965 Sidney Johnston High School honor student and Marine from East Austin who gave his life fighting a forest fire on November 5, 1966
- 2006 gut renovation and addition by Lawrence Group — 10,400 sq ft with volcanic rock pavers from Mexico, a papel picado-inspired aluminum screen, and heavy glulam timber beams
- Original Spanish arch from the pre-2006 building preserved and replicated on the front facade to unify old and new construction
- Dedicated spaces for adults, young adults, children, and immigration counseling, plus two meeting/tutoring rooms available to the community
- Access to TexShare statewide databases, Libby eBooks, Kanopy films, hoopla, Gale research databases, and Brainfuse live tutoring — all free with a library card
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Austin Public Library cardholders at Terrazas can tap into a deep stack of digital resources — from streaming films to genealogy — at no cost:
📚 Services
- Public computers with internet access and word processing
- Black-and-white printing at $0.20 per side (letter-sized); upload or email files to apl_atb-bw@ewprints.com
- Two meeting and tutoring rooms available for community reservation
- Youth computing area with children's educational resources
- Immigration-counseling area integrated into the building design
- Free library cards for Austin residents; TexShare cards for reciprocal borrowing at member Texas libraries
- Interlibrary loan through the Austin Public Library network
🎸 Programs
- Early Literacy Playgroup — Mondays at 10am, ages 5 and under (stories, songs, and early-learning activities)
- Music & Movement — babies and preschoolers; interactive songs and movement for early language development
- Tuesday Night Make & Play — ages 0–10, drop-in hands-on creative projects
- Deep Dives into Popular Films — adult film analysis and discussion series
- Embroidery 101 — adult craft workshops covering traditional hand-embroidery techniques
- Talk Time — informal English conversation practice open to all adults
📍 Nearby Libraries in Austin
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Henry S. Terrazas, and why is this branch named after him?
Henry S. Terrazas grew up in East Austin and graduated from Sidney Johnston High School in 1965, where he was both a varsity football player and an honor student. After high school he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and was killed on November 5, 1966 while fighting a forest fire — a sacrifice that the City of Austin honored by naming this neighborhood branch in his memory. The branch began as a small reading room in the nearby Pan American Recreation Center before growing into the dedicated facility that bears his name today.
What is the significance of the building's design at Terrazas Branch?
The 2006 renovation and addition by Austin-based Lawrence Group deliberately wove East Austin's Mexican-American cultural heritage into the architecture. The building features volcanic rock pavers imported from Mexico, a decorative aluminum screen wall inspired by papel picado (the traditional art of punched paper seen at Mexican and Tejano celebrations), and heavy glulam timber beams. A Spanish arch from the original pre-2006 structure was preserved and replicated on the new facade to visually connect the two eras of the building.
What are the Terrazas Branch's current hours, and are walk-ins welcome?
The branch is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm and on Fridays from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. It is closed Saturday and Sunday. Walk-ins are always welcome during open hours for browsing, computing, printing, and attending drop-in programs. Meeting and tutoring rooms require advance reservation — contact the branch at (512) 974-3625 or visit library.austintexas.gov to book.
Can I access digital resources from home with a Terrazas Branch library card?
Yes. An Austin Public Library card gives you remote access to Libby (OverDrive) for eBooks and audiobooks, Kanopy for film streaming (6 monthly tickets), hoopla for instant-checkout eBooks, audiobooks, movies, and comics (4 per month), plus Gale research databases, Brainfuse live tutoring and job coaching, and the TexShare database suite. Cards are free for Austin residents; apply in person or through the library's website.
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